My daughter, 23, plans to visit Ireland for a horseback riding tour. She is looking at the Connemara Trails tour. It is fairly pricey for her but looks like a great tour. Has anyone who has gone on this tour provide a recommendation?
Can any COTH readers recommend a riding tour in Ireland for a hunter/trillium level rider? Thanks in Advance:)
My brother LOVED the Equitours trip across Connemara that he took. The famous Willie Leahy was his guide. He was sorely tempted to bring his horse home as a souvenir. My brother’s planning on going again.
My Dad and I rode with Willie Leahy and his sons a few years ago - I would highly, highly recommend their stable! We fox hunted rather than did the trail, but the horses were spectacular and the people lovely. For what it’s worth, Dad and I are both Adult Ammy H/J riders. 
[QUOTE=danceronice;8824697]
My brother LOVED the Equitours trip across Connemara that he took. The famous Willie Leahy was his guide. He was sorely tempted to bring his horse home as a souvenir. My brother’s planning on going again.[/QUOTE]
Yes to this^^ Willie and family are awesome, the horses wonderful, the lodgings very nice, the food is good, the scenery and open riding to die for. It was my vacation of a lifetime.
Most of our group was a bit older - 30’s and 40’s. But we got along great. Be a good mom and hand her a few $ to help support the cost, lol. OR go with her and you’d both have a great time!!
The riding is not hard, but there are a lot of hours in the saddle. At the end of one day we were trotting forever down a road and I swear my eyes were going shut.
Edited to add: I know a number of people who bought horses from Willie after riding…
I did the Coastal Ride with Willie back in May '87 for my first international riding holiday and it was fantastic! Ireland is the greenest place on earth as it rains all the time, so be prepared. I rode a TB/Connemara that I liked alot but traded with another girl who was very short and riding a 16.3 TB/Draft. He was lovely to ride. The food is fabulous, hotels great (LOVED the hot water bottles at your feet in bed and heated towel bars). A wonderful experience all around.
Yeah, my brother’s big issue was where he lives at home–board was prohibitively expensive, or he’d have probably taken his horse home as a souvenir. Willie sounds like a character.
Thank you danceronice, Small Change, 2tempe and Heart’s Journey. I am so happy to have your wonderful input. I guess she’ll be going to Ireland in May.
Willie’s son, Justin, lives in Oregon and leads (along with his wife, Lindley) the Willamette Coast Ride, a U.S. version of the Irish point-to-point rides. I cannot recommend it enough, especially if your budget won’t tolerate a trip to Ireland!
The pictures from the Willamette coast ride look stunning!
[QUOTE=shubadi;8827117]
Willie’s son, Justin, lives in Oregon and leads (along with his wife, Lindley) the Willamette Coast Ride, a U.S. version of the Irish point-to-point rides. I cannot recommend it enough, especially if your budget won’t tolerate a trip to Ireland!
www.willamettecoastride.com[/QUOTE]
I have sent in an e-mail about dates and prices. Thank you shubadi!
